Western Morning News (Saturday)
Tritonic can provide plenty of cheer in Hurdle at Newbury
TRITONIC can secure another big handicap prize in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury. Good enough to place at Royal Ascot in 2020, Tritonic made a seamless transition to hurdles last term, winning the Adonis on the way to finishing a respectable fifth in the Triumph at Cheltenham.
Given two Flat starts in the summer, Tritonic took a couple of runs to get rolling back over obstacles before coming good in another Betfair-backed contest at Ascot before Christmas, where he travelled well off a strong pace before staying on all the way to line to win by just under three lengths.
Connections then took the bold decision to make a quick return for the Christmas Hurdle the following week, but that did not work out as hoped, particularly as the Kempton ground ended up soft.
Back in handicaps now and with the ground riding much better, Tritonic could have optimal conditions to defy his 5lb higher mark.
On what should be a good afternoon for the Alan King team, Sceau Royal can retain his title in the Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase.
The 10-year-old switches back to fences after spending the first part of the campaign over hurdles - counting the Elite Hurdle among his two wins and also finishing close up in the Fighting Fifth.
Equally as adept over fences, Sceau Royal followed a similar route before landing this Grade Two prize last term and suitably refreshed after a short break he can hold on to his crown with conditions to suit.
Paul Nicholls has made no secret of the fact his string are not firing on all cylinders at present, but it is to be hoped the class of Clan Des Obeaux and Bravemansgame can see them through their respective tests.
Clan Des Obeaux should find conditions much more to his liking in the Betfair Denman Chase after getting stuck in the mud at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Beaten nine lengths by Tornado Flyer in the King George, Clan Des Obeaux was having his first run since winning at Punchestown in April and found it tough going after grabbing the lead on the run to the penultimate fence.
He was quickly swamped and rather gifted second as Asterion Forlonge crashed out at the last, but this looks a less exacting test, particularly back on better ground.
Nicholls surely would not be running if he had not been pleasing at home - a comment which definitely applies to Bravemansgame in the opening Betfair Cheltenham Roarcast Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.
He looked the real deal in dismissing Ahoy Senor at Christmas and is expected to concede weight all round as he puts the final touches to his Cheltenham Festival preparations, although it is fair to say Pats Fancy merits respect.
The Virgin Bet Kingmaker Novices’ Chase at Warwick may only have drawn four runners, but it looks likely to be a fascinating affair.
Preference is for Third Time Lucki, although he has to reverse a comprehensive defeat at the hands of Edwardstone in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase before Christmas.
Third Time Lucki was well fancied at Sandown having won his two previous starts, including a Cheltenham Grade Two, but he failed to sparkle, setting out to make all but finding a couple of jumping errors to be pretty costly as he was easily overhauled by Edwardstone at the second-last.
Dan Skelton’s charge was actually pipped to the runner-up spot too by the staying-on War Lord but freshened up subsequently, he roared back to form with a 30-length triumph in a Doncaster Grade Two at the end of last month.
Ridden with a bit more restraint that day, he was left clear at the last when the reopposing For Pleasure fell, but he was well in control before his rival’s mishap.
Skelton feels his team have a better understanding of how Third Time Lucki needs to be ridden now and with the ground in his favour, he has every chance of avenging his Sandown eclipse.
Zambella can bounce back from a surprise Doncaster defeat last time out in the Virgin Bet Mares’ Chase at Uttoxeter, while Trevolli should complete his hat-trick in Lingfield’s Betway Casino Handicap.
Caroline Dale is the choice in the Betway Handicap at Wolverhampton after sidestepping last week’s Kachy Stakes.